There are so many fantastic classic cars! There are: the Corvette, '55 Chevy, '57 Chevy, the Thunderbird, the Galaxy 500, the Firebird, the Firebird Formula, the Trans Am, and the Tucker Torpedo just to name a few. I loved them all to be sure. However, if I had to choose my all time favorite classic car; it would be, without a doubt, the legendary Ford Mustang.

The Mustang was one of the most famous, most sought after, most advertised, and most beloved automobiles in all of recorded history. It took the entire American nation, if not the entire world, by storm when it was first introduced in April of 1964. There were huge lines at all the auto shows throughout the nation just to catch a brief glimpse of this one of a kind wonder car.

The Ford Mustang set multiple sales records that will never, ever be equalled. For example, just one week after its introduction, 5000 were sold. By the end of April, that number had doubled. At the end of the year, 250,000 were in household across America. Another 50,000 were purchased in Europe and Asia as well.

1965 was a banner year for both Ford Motor Company in general, and the Mustang in particular. That glorious year, 680,000 models were sold domestically, while another 100,000 were shipped to foreign buyers. When the summer of '66 rolled around, Mustang sales figures approached 2 million. By the winter of 1968, sales figures had exceeded an astonishing 3 million models! The automotive industry had never seen anything like it; or would ever see it again. Ford had made a fortune off the Mustang.

As the proud owner of a classic 1967 Mustang, I can tell you some of the many reasons why it is, and will always be my very favorite car. First of all, I love the sleek, sporty look. For five years, the Mustang barely changed. Its outward design remained virtually the same. Its rumored that the reason for this is because the sales figures were so phenomenal, Ford Execs were scared to make any major changes and "mess up a good thing"! In fact, most of the parts inward and outward are completely interchangeable on all Mustangs '64 thru '66. While, the same is true for '67 and '68.

Secondly, I absolutely love the fact that the Mustang has plenty of leg room up front and a spacious backseat area as well. This is almost unprecedented for a sports car. Most of them are so incredibly cramped on the inside you get the feeling that you are traveling in one of those old time space capsules of the late 1950's!

Third, I enjoy working on cars. I like being able to take sections apart, clean them, rebuild them, and replace them without having to remove the entire engine block in the process. With rare exception, the Mustang allows me to do just that. I have rebuilt my carbuerator, changed out my headers, battery, starter, starter solenoid, voltage regulator, spacer, radiator, fan, fan shroud, and given the car a full tune-up to boot. It is so much fun just being able to do things yourself, rather than always having to rely upon someone else to do them for you.

Fourth, I really enjoy the power my Mustang possesses. I have a specially made Hi Po 302 engine in it. This is augmented by a big V8, 4 barrel carb, and duel exhaust. Simply put, my '67 Mustang can really take off and go. I have won my share of races with it over the years. Although, I must admit, I did get a little too arrogant and over confident after winning a few, when I made a huge mistake. I challenged a Dodge Stealth, and was whipped. Oh, well, I still love my '67 Mustang, and always will. She is my baby. We have been through a lot together. I will never sell her, or get rid of her. She is part of my family. And, is my favorite classic car.

Learn more about this author, TIMOTHY J. THOMPSON.
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